JANICE EATON: Grateful for Master Gardeners

Newton and McDonald County Master Gardeners Jutta McCormick, Beverly Caywood and Jo McLemore were on site this week working tediously and diligently to beautify our flower boxes here at the hatchery.

Newton and McDonald County Master Gardeners Jutta McCormick, Beverly Caywood and Jo McLemore were on site this week working tediously and diligently to beautify our flower boxes here at the hatchery. The Master Gardeners have been taking care of these flowerbeds yearlong for many years. Like elves at work, we rarely know they are here, but what they leave behind is divine. We are indeed grateful for their service.

• • •A representative from USGS in Columbia arrived last week to extract eggs from three of our pallid sturgeons. She reported that spawning should take place within the next two weeks. The Tribal Fish Hatchery from Cherokee, N.C., picked up 20,000 rainbows last week and Shepherd of the Hills Hatchery picked up 10,000.

• • •Manager David Hendrix accompanied Rep. Bill Reiboldt and Lobbyist Larry Cole for the memorial service of Richard Bedell, twin brother of State Conservation Commissioner Don Bedell. The service was held in Van Buren.

• • •Due to unforeseen circumstances the Scouting for Rainbows fishing event has been canceled but the Annual Kids Fishing Day is still set for Friday, June 7, for children ages 7-12. The children must be pre-registered by a parent or guardian at the fish hatchery between now and the event. The first 200 registered will receive a free T-shirt and a goody bag.

• • •Visit our gift/book store for great Mother's Day gifts. Long distance visitors of the week are Mary and Gene Pondo from Sabinsville, Penn. Local visitors of the week are William and Rachel Armstrong from Neosho.

Janice Eaton is the automation clerk at the Neosho National Fish Hatchery.